Chapter 359: Chapter 359

The Rama Project was a special project. This might be the second instance where "all major powers tacitly conspired to cover up a secret"—the first being "details related to nuclear weapon technology".

Apart from scholars relishing the pure joy of "discovering the unknown", everyone here was extremely cautious. Their every move could potentially affect the fragile international situation at present.

Not to mention the issue of "leaks".

The fact that "aliens truly exist" would cause a huge psychological shock to the public. And this shock could potentially turn into "panic" and "turmoil".

Some informed scholars had made the opposite prediction, though. It was said that there was a report on the Republic’s internal advisory stating shrewdly that humanity could use the construction of the image of "Extraterrestrial Life", a group different from "us", to reinforce the concept of the "global human community" and recommended that future opportunities for development be seized.

But the rulers dared not gamble. They could not bet on what kind of upheaval would erupt when "the public unexpectedly learned of the aliens’ message" with no preparation whatsoever.

It could even be said that, from the moment "Zhu Rong" released "Xiduo", he was no longer merely a "cyberspace guerrilla". He could be the most terrifying terrorist of the 21st century.

"I can somewhat understand..." Xiang Shan nodded, then turned his gaze to his tablet, "It’s just... a bit of a pity. I think up to this point, his influence has been quite positive."

"Ah..." Officer Hu shook his head, "Director Xiang, you should still be a bit careful. With your position, it’s a bit inappropriate to say that."

Xiang Shan nodded slightly. Actually, Jing Hongtu had said something similar to him, but the direction he pointed to was completely the opposite.

——In the Republic, scientists are a specially treated group. Why? Because "science and technology constitute the primary productive force". You think there doesn’t seem to be so many people who espouse rationalism? That’s correct, too. In this context, "science and technology" can be tantamount to "divine power", and you are the "wizard" who communicates this power, Xiang. You are even the most powerful "engineer" among the "modern wizards."

——Because you are a "wizard", it’s normal for you to speak some mystical nonsense. And because you are a "wizard", it’s also easy for you to be forgiven for speaking out against "royalty and nobility." Such inappropriate and naïve behavior will even strengthen the impression of the nobles about you. The more obtuse you appear, the more they believe in your technical proficiency.

——Is there a necessary connection between technical proficiency and being blunt? Haha. Of course not. But that is the stereotype our country has from top to bottom. The more you display such behavior, the more reliable you will seem in technical aspects, and also the less threatening. Even if you make statements completely contrary to core values, as long as there is no actual act of treason, at most, you will be made to shut up and disappear from the public eye.

——Sure, "breaking these stereotypes" and "demystifying science itself" are very meaningful. But, at this stage, "taking advantage of this stereotype" is also viable. You don’t have to worry about not doing well after taking office, and you shouldn’t feel mentally pressured.

Xiang Shan was just "playing himself" as a naive person.

He looked at his tablet and said, "I think these hackers’ discussions are quite valuable. Although they don’t receive the regimented training in a formal system like I do, they have developed a very vibrant way of thinking from fighting every battle hard. Their discussions can still inspire me. Normally, these guys wouldn’t be able to enter this park."

Colonel Lei nodded and said, "Director Xiang truly is a scientist, fully committed to his profession. But we indeed cannot make a joke out of ’social stability’. Let alone those hackers, even those who have gone legit and whitewashed themselves won’t do."

Many large corporations’ cybersecurity staff are the result of famous hackers being whitewashed and welcomed. But even those old-timers who have washed their hands clean are not trusted. Who can ensure that these one-time "cyberspace guerrillas" won’t get a hot-headed idea that "this intelligence should be known by everyone" or "big powers have no right to monopolize alien intelligence, that’s imperialism", and then blow the lid off the whole thing?

After all, that was their youth.

Officer Hu said, "But the vetting will gradually loosen up later. If Director Xiang truly wishes to recruit some hackers for research assistance, it would be possible by then."

Xiang Shan nodded, "I do hope that day comes soon."

"However, for the matter of ’interacting with hackers’, there actually is some progress." Lei Chaoyang raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "I’ve come to notify you of a message this time. The Federation has grown restless this time. They plan to send their very best hacker over here. You might try to communicate with him, but you must be very careful."

Xiang Shan was somewhat surprised, "Isn’t he unable to pass the vetting?"

After all, hackers are either idealistic free spirits or naturally rebellious individuals looking to challenge the rules. Whether pure or chaotic, both are hard to change.

Colonel Lei took out a stack of materials from his briefcase. It included a photograph and several documents.

"This is the information on that hacker. You must be cautious of this person, please make sure not to let your electronic devices come into contact with him," said Colonel Lei.

The photo showed a young man around Xiang Shan’s age, possibly a year or two younger. He was lean, with stooped shoulders, which made his neck appear long. Above high cheekbones and a sharp nose bridge were a pair of eyes filled with gloom and arrogance.

This blond and blue-eyed youth somehow made one feel uncomfortable.

He really resembled the stereotypical tech-nerd teenager from Federation TV shows.

"This guy is that Great Hacker?" Xiang Shan muttered. "Doesn’t look it..."

"Jakub Hartman, a German descendant from the Federation, born in Pennsylvania. His parents were evangelists. He grew up in a conservative family and his favorite works include ’Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon’, ’Splinter Cell’, and ’Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six’..."

"Wow," Xiang nodded. "You mean to say he’s the kind with...Cold War mentality?"

Lei Chaoyang nodded. "Jakub Hartman is someone with a huge passion for patriotism."

"Different from the mainstream hackers, it seems?"

"But because of that, one must not underestimate him. He’s the strongest hacker there is," said Lei Chaoyang. "He was already mastering various hacking skills by self-learning during high school. In the hacker community, he made a name for himself and even earned the ID ’Aqini’. After realizing he could no longer learn more from the hacker community, he hacked into the CIA’s systems and nearly saw through all of CIA’s confidential files."

"If he hadn’t left behind a job application letter, the CIA might never have discovered him."

Xiang Shan nodded. "That is really..."

"The same job application letter appeared in the systems of the Pentagon as well. The guy was like a ghost, impossible to guard against."

Xiang Shan wiped his face. "This guy caused such a big stir just to...apply for a job?"

"His dream was to become a warrior defending the nation," said Lei Chaoyang. "The information I just mentioned, some of it is publicly released by the Federation, while some is classified. Director Xiang, you should know better than to spread this around."

Xiang Shan was puzzled. "I think this must have been hard to find out..."

Lei Chaoyang hesitated for a moment. "The main issue is that he left job application letters both with the military and the CIA, and neither knew the other was aware of it. Both wanted to deal with it independently, so a few years back, there was some turmoil which let slip the information, becoming known to other countries."

Xiang Shan clicked his tongue. "That is pretty staunch."

"So his first reward wasn’t his long-awaited job, but prison. However, this guy later for some reason joined the FBI and played a significant role within it, crushing many unlawful cyberspace groups within the Federation." Thɪs chapter is updated by novel·fıre·net

"In the Federation’s hacker circles, the ID ’Aqini’ is now loathed. Many hackers declare their intention to humble this traitor, but up till now, he still remains the strongest ’Aqini’."

Xiang Shan smiled. "But seriously, hackers can’t really humble his spirit, can they? For a hacker, the most important thing is their ’real name’. Once someone knows your real name, they can send you to prison at any time. But this Aqini is already a public official, especially the kind who deals with bringing hackers to justice."

He did remember this oddity. Due to his profession, Xiang Shan occasionally communicated with foreign counterparts. He was not familiar with "Zhu Rong", which targeted tech companies specifically, but he had at least heard of "Aqini". It’s just that his area of expertise was far removed from cybersecurity, so he didn’t delve deeper.

"Hackers have their own rules, which I don’t fully understand either. Probably something like destroying his data?" Lei Chaoyang shrugged.

"Speaking of which, first ’Zhu Rong’, then ’Aqini’..." Xiang Shan pondered. "Do these hackers all like to take the names of Fire Gods?"

"Oh, that." Lei Chaoyang smiled. "Is this a trend over the past few years? You might not be aware of it, being from the academy. In recent years, these ’Fire God’ IDs caused an exceptionally bloody storm in the hacker circles. Everyone wanted to snatch a ’Fire God’ ID."

"Not to mention ’Zhu Rong’ and ’Aqini’. Besides them, there are also ’Loki’, ’Vulcan’, ’Hephaestus’, ’Fire Virtue Star Lord’, ’Kagutsuchi Life’..."

"Now in the hacking community there’s a saying. Only those with the name of a ’Fire God’ are the strongest hackers."